El Tuito, Costalegre, Jalisco Mexico
Monday, November 03, 2008
Sunday, July 06, 2008
El Tuito
Located south of Puerto Vallarta lies the municipality of Cabo Corrientes, marking the southernmost point of Banderas Bay. El Tuito, its capital, is a small town (population less than 4,000) located approximately 1,085 meters above sea level. Its name derives from the ancient Náhuatla language spoken by the Aztecs and means “little beautiful valley.” As you drive into town, you will be immediately taken by the uniformity of its buildings, painted with a mixture of local clays that gives their walls a unique orange tinge. Cottage industries abound, from organic coffee and artisan cheese to raicilla, the local moonshine, not available legally until very recently.
Just barely considered part of the Costalegre, this inland town near Tomatlan lies along Highway 200. It's easy to miss and one that I have missed until our trip to Tehuamixtle out on the coast. I will definately make time for a few hours in El Tuito on my next Vallarta trip.
Just barely considered part of the Costalegre, this inland town near Tomatlan lies along Highway 200. It's easy to miss and one that I have missed until our trip to Tehuamixtle out on the coast. I will definately make time for a few hours in El Tuito on my next Vallarta trip.
Buildings around the plaza
Buildings around the plaza
Activities on the Plaza
A building on the plazaEl Tuito, Jalisco, Costalegre, Mexico
Monday, June 09, 2008
Majahuas to Tehuamixtle
A very long day trip from Melaque - Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico
We had never been out to the coast in this area - mainly because the beaches are a long way from the highway. Had no idea of road conditions of distances between towns. We started with Majahuas and worked our way north.
The Majahuas turn off is the first road just north of the bridge north of Tomatlan. The fisherman's Coop "Roca Negra" is there that manages the Majahuas Biological Station and turtle sanctuary. A little inland is a new Aquaculture facility raising shrimp, pargo and puffer fish. This facility is government funded in conjunction with the Spanish government. Scientists from both countries are working there.
To continue north from Majahuas we had to return to the highway and take the La Gloria exit about 5 miles further north. La Gloria also has a Sea Turtle Research Station but we continued north to La Cruz de Loreto and up the coast from there. Very easy to feel lost on the criss-cross roads just north of La Gloria as they follow irrigation ditches and farm fields.
Las Penitas is the next landmark north but is only a small lighthouse and a few seldom used palapas. It's a pretty beach. The next thing north of note is Villa del Mar with a few vacation accomodations and two stores before we reached Tehuamixtle.
Tehuamixtle is very cute at the bottom of a valley on a beautiful little bay. We ate at one of the two not inexpensive beach restaurants. The land to expand the town is minimal due to the steep terrain but the realtors have it all sectioned off and forsale. A one time experience that I won't do again but I'm sure it will fit into other gringos dreams. The road out to El Tuito and the highway is very rough and takes over an hour
We had never been out to the coast in this area - mainly because the beaches are a long way from the highway. Had no idea of road conditions of distances between towns. We started with Majahuas and worked our way north.
The Majahuas turn off is the first road just north of the bridge north of Tomatlan. The fisherman's Coop "Roca Negra" is there that manages the Majahuas Biological Station and turtle sanctuary. A little inland is a new Aquaculture facility raising shrimp, pargo and puffer fish. This facility is government funded in conjunction with the Spanish government. Scientists from both countries are working there.
To continue north from Majahuas we had to return to the highway and take the La Gloria exit about 5 miles further north. La Gloria also has a Sea Turtle Research Station but we continued north to La Cruz de Loreto and up the coast from there. Very easy to feel lost on the criss-cross roads just north of La Gloria as they follow irrigation ditches and farm fields.
Las Penitas is the next landmark north but is only a small lighthouse and a few seldom used palapas. It's a pretty beach. The next thing north of note is Villa del Mar with a few vacation accomodations and two stores before we reached Tehuamixtle.
Tehuamixtle is very cute at the bottom of a valley on a beautiful little bay. We ate at one of the two not inexpensive beach restaurants. The land to expand the town is minimal due to the steep terrain but the realtors have it all sectioned off and forsale. A one time experience that I won't do again but I'm sure it will fit into other gringos dreams. The road out to El Tuito and the highway is very rough and takes over an hour
Majahuas
Las Penitas
Villas del Mar
TehuamixtleMajahuas to Tehuamixtle web page
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Agua Caliente
We went up the coast yesterday looking for the SPA I've heard advertised and we did and didn't find it. Agua Caliente is located just beyond the Tenacatita turnoff along Highway 200. Infact if you use the back road out of the town you towards the coast you will come out on the Tenacatita road. We went East under the bridge to the public area, found the hot springs and noticed a tent and a few people up the river. I thought they were camping so didn't bother with a foto - but it turns out that was the SPA. It was confirmed when I found another travel-log website with pictures.
The public area would work just as well (and save you $60) but you need a shovel to dig out a hole you can sit or lie in. Some spots are hot enough to burn and there is a strong sulphur smell.
Link to the SPA website (notice no fotos but some Info)
Puresa Spa
The public area would work just as well (and save you $60) but you need a shovel to dig out a hole you can sit or lie in. Some spots are hot enough to burn and there is a strong sulphur smell.
Link to the SPA website (notice no fotos but some Info)
Puresa Spa
The river with hot springs along the bank
Looking up the river towards the Spa
Some of the discoloration from the sulfur waters
Agua Caliente, Costalegre, Jalisco
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Update on Calechosa Bay
I was just over there today to see if the surf was up and it was. It had been over a year since my last visit and I hadn't seen Roy's house or the new development called Calechosa Bay. This beach is also known as Ranchito and is located behind the small community of the same name.
It looks like the road is slightly improved but will need 4-5 bridges to access the area in the summer during the rains unless you have a large 4WD vehicle. So far 3 structures are started, two houses and the "model home / sales office". All have a very long way to go. The picture also shows what the hillside looks like from Febuary thru June with no rain for many months. A dry jungle is pretty much the ecology we live in here.
I did include a picture of the beach which is beautiful but not for swimming, really only surfers use it and it's difficult for them to enter and exit the water. Many jump off the rocks on the far right to avoid the shoreline.
It looks like the road is slightly improved but will need 4-5 bridges to access the area in the summer during the rains unless you have a large 4WD vehicle. So far 3 structures are started, two houses and the "model home / sales office". All have a very long way to go. The picture also shows what the hillside looks like from Febuary thru June with no rain for many months. A dry jungle is pretty much the ecology we live in here.
I did include a picture of the beach which is beautiful but not for swimming, really only surfers use it and it's difficult for them to enter and exit the water. Many jump off the rocks on the far right to avoid the shoreline.
Costalegre Jalisco Mexico
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
